Offering Short-Term Luxury Accommodation? How To Reopen After The Lockdown

The Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc in both the property and travel markets around the world.

For luxury short-term accommodation providers, this is a dual blow, as you now face many challenges and have had to stop trading altogether over recent weeks.

While the lockdown is currently still in place, it could be eased over the coming months, meaning that later in the year you need to be prepared to start reopening your properties.

In such unprecedented circumstances, it can be difficult to comprehend how you go about restarting your business and allowing guests to visit your accommodation. It’s important you prepare early so that you’re ready for when the market picks up again.

To help, here are some practical tips that should allow you to get your luxury short-term rental property up and running again with little hassle.

Keep Guests Informed

These past few weeks have been chaotic for many professionals in the short-term luxury accommodation market, and guests and potential customers will be equally confused by the situation. As such, it’s crucial that you create a clear line of communication between your company and your guests, and offer potential customers reassurance through social media posts, email newsletters and blog articles. Establish a policy for refunds and rearrangements early, and make sure that guests are informed so that they feel supported by your company during this tough situation.

Work With A Specialist Cleaning Company

Cleanliness and hygiene are top priorities for consumers right now, and doubtless, they will be well into the future. As such, you need to make sure that your property is thoroughly cleaned, both when you reopen it and after every guest has stayed in it. Engage a professional cleaning company that has the skills and equipment to decontaminate your property completely. Ideal Cleaning offers an accommodation cleaning service that will ensure that your luxury property is completely ready for guests after months spent empty.

Advertise Discounts

The world economy is reeling from the impact of the Coronavirus, and it will probably be feeling the effects of it for many years to come. While your target market has more than enough money to sustain them, they will still have seen a considerable dent made in their wealth thanks to this situation. Offering a discount, even a small one, will entice guests who want to get away from it all after the lockdown to consider visiting your property.

Emphasise The Amenities That Guests Want

Luxury is a fluid concept that is constantly evolving according to a wide variety of factors. Fashion trends, social media and economic conditions all influence what consumers come to think of as a luxury. In a world where movement is restricted to limit the spread of Coronavirus, an expansive, enclosed garden could be considered the ultimate in luxury living. On the other hand, swimming pools might now have moved from a desirable luxury feature to a potential hazard that could easily become dirty and harbour germs. Conduct market research and communicate with guests to find out what they’re looking for, and then focus your marketing efforts on the properties in your portfolio that offer these amenities.

It’s never easy to recover from a crisis, particularly one as far-reaching and unique as the current pandemic. Use these tips to make the transition from lockdown back to popular luxury short-term accommodation provider smooth and simple.